DREAM Act supporters to Romney: Do you know the facts on immigration?

Music to a Republican's ear during a contested presidential primary? Criticism from supporters of the DREAM Act, who sent out the following press release in opposition to Mitt Romney's promise to veto the bill if he ever became president and if it ever reached his desk:

Open Letter to Governor Mitt Romney from DREAMers

Governor Mitt Romney,

You recently stated that if elected president of the United States, you would veto the federal DREAM Act and would not support any legislation that grants in-state tuition for undocumented students.

At this point, we are wondering whether you know the facts about the DREAM Act as your statement appears highly inconsistent considering your political record. Your political history indicates that you once supported several immigration reforms, some of which included the DREAM Act.

* In 2005, you supported an immigration reform plan that Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and Sen. John Cornyn, (R-TX) proposed and called it a "reasonable proposal". During an interview with the Boston Globe in November 2005<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAUS2JJib88>, you showed your support and said it was not amnesty. The Comprehensive Enforcement and Immigration Reform Act of 2005 (S. 1438), which failed to pass in Congress, would have required undocumented immigrants to pay a fee and would be allowed to apply for citizenship.

* In 2007, you also supported the McCain-Kennedy immigration reform that provided a pathway to citizenship for those who entered the country illegally. During an interview with Meet the Press<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eey2nX2aMc>, you showed your support for the bill saying, "My own view is...those people who come here illegally and are in this country, the 12 million or so that are here illegally, should be able to sign up for permanent residency or citizenship."

* Now, in your second attempt to run for president, you are again opposing creating a path to legalization for the undocumented immigrant population. During a Republican presidential debate in November you stated<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eey2nX2aMc>, "To say that we're going to say to the people who have come here illegally that now you're going to get to stay or some large number are going to get to stay and become permanent residents of the United States, that will only encourage more people to do the same thing. People respond to incentives and if you can become a permanent resident of the United States by coming here illegally, you'll do so."

Vitriolic, anti-immigrant rhetoric has been the platform for some of the current presidential Republican candidates. However, we want you to set the record straight on the DREAM Act. You have to recognize the positive impact this legislation would have on the U.S. and the lives of the 2.1 million undocumented young immigrants who would benefit from it.

A 2010 study by the UCLA North American Integration and Development Center estimates that the total earnings of DREAM Act beneficiaries over the course of their working lives would be between $1.4 trillion and $3.6 trillion. This translates into greater tax revenue and scores of new jobs. If you are serious about fixing the economy, the DREAM Act is the solution, not the problem.

On Saturday, you said you support creating a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants who serve in the military. In fact, this is included in the DREAM Act. You also said that if elected president, you would veto the federal DREAM Act and that you don't support giving benefits to young immigrants, such as in-state tuition. Once again, the current DREAM Act does not give undocumented youth in-state tuition or preferences over U.S. citizens. Instead, it would allow each state to decide whether or not to grant undocumented students in-state tuition and would only allow them to apply for student loans and federal work-study programs.

Moreover, your recent stance on opposing a pathway to citizenship is contrary to the wishes of the American people. A recent Fox News national poll<http://www.foxnews.com/interactive/us/2011/12/09/fox-news-poll-immigration/> showed that 66 percent of Americans think there should be a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, but only if individuals meet requirements such as paying back taxes and learning English. Indeed, your current stance will not give you the support from our immigrant community and Latino voters, who will be a determining factor in the 2012 presidential race. According to a Pew Hispanic Center poll<http://www.pewhispanic.org/files/2011/12/2011-NSL-Topline-Immigration-and-Politics.pdf> released in December, 88 percent of Latino registered voters nationwide support the DREAM Act.

Over the past 10 years, since the DREAM Act was first introduced, Republicans and Democrats have used us to score cheap political points, and we will no longer stand for that.

Even though we are still not allowed to drive, work, and use our college degrees, we have not given up. We will continue to mobilize our communities until we're given the opportunity to give back to this country we love and call home.

Sincerely,

DRM Capitol GroupMaryland DREAM TeamEl Cambio in North CarolinaArizona DREAMersNew Mexico DREAMers in ActionConnecticut Students for a DREAMNew York DREAMersDREAM Team Los AngelesGaby Pacheco, Trail of DreamsDREAM Big Vegas

Comments

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Why do these people feel entitled to be here?They're NOT!The "Dream Act' Has not passed in the last ten years because it is not in the best interests of the American people,it's a Trojan horse.Do NOT reward people for breaking the law.If your parent(s) brought you here illegally,and put you in this position,take it up with them.

Jeff you are a moron. I'm an American and I have to say is people like you that give this country a bad name. I feel embarrassed to say you and I are from the same place. This country was built on immigration legal or illegal. Half of the stuff we as American's own isn't even made here so why wont we help people that help us!?

@jeff really man, dude is not like they can take it to their parents and say "why in the heck am i here", no they have to be proud of their parents for sacrificing their life to try to get them a better life that in other countries wouldn't of have the opportunity to give them. The Dream Act yes, will help those who are undocumented and also his/her family. You say "is not in the best interests of the American people" you mean people like you, who did not go to college (maybe), or you are still in a dead en job and can not find a new job, because you are in capable to so, or because you only speak one language...

@Jeff, people like you are the reason our society is so bigotted, mean spirited, and two sided. It is really ashame that people are brought up like you. It is always about "me me me" right??? Why don't you take the time to put yourself in their shoes. Until you can grow up and educate yourself, please do not comment.

With unemployment above 8 percent (higher if you actually count the folks who are underemployed or have stopped looking we need to make it as uncomfortable to be in this country illegally. We also need to severely punish those who hire folks illegally as well. We do NOT need the Dream Act.

If you folks are mad at being here illegally, you should be mad at the folks who put you in your situation, not the system. It is not meant to be easy to get your citizenship. Just because you don't want to follow the process (that worked for over 1,000,000 people in 2010 alone), that is your problem, not the US'.

It's incredible how ignorant people can be. I was brought here at a very young age from a country. I pledge allegiance to our (notice how I say our) flag, I learned english and probably speak and write it grammatically better than you do. I call the United States of America my home. Why? because this IS my home. Just like millions of students my age, some brought here illegally, most are overstayers of their visas and some through border crossing cards had no say in the matter. Families overstay without thought because they never expected this country to be home. Just about all pay their taxes EVERY YEAR, (its a fact that illegals pay more in taxes than they cost in social services), know english, have no criminal record, and many students hold great academic records in their schools. Are these not the kind of people we want in this country? The D.R.E.A.M act is a way for students to get citizenship through completing their education or joining the Armed Forces, because unlike those blind fools, D.R.E.A.M Act supporters understand that you don't punish a child for their parents crimes. You don't send the children of murderers and rapists to jail, so why would you punish the children of parents who committed the crime? You think a baby or a 3 year old knows what is going on? Of course not. 400 years ago the explorers and colonists came and took this land with no one's permission, and you think YOUR people are the rightful owners? Get over yourself. Pass the D.R.E.A.M Act, let those undocumented students thrive and add to our society. Let them take advantage of what so many legal residents and citizens don't. Americans should consider themselves honored to be born with something so precious and so wanted by millions of people around the world. To live with no fear for their future in the absolute greatest country in the world, the United States of America.

And it wouldn't encourage more illegal immigration. The D.R.E.A.M has a list of requirements, one being that you must be in the United States for 5 full years before being able to apply, and this number may very well increase. If it passes, millions of undocumented students will get the chances to better their lives, and those who are living low income and impoverished lifestyles will better those lives around them, helping those few undocumented people who rely on social services and eradicate illegals using those services. Isn't that what people are upset about? Illegals using America's money?

Shawn, I would say that they are scared of accepting the risks in trying to follow the immigration process, due to their already illegal status in this country. For an illegal to follow the immigration process, their is an extremely lower chance of being accepted. The possibility of being returned to a country they never knew for something they unknowingly committed is a harsh reality to accept. Therefore, many undocumented students and their families refuse to run that risk.

Unfortunately that is not a fault of the system. That is the fault of the parents/relatives that brought them. However good the intentions were to give them a better life, and unfortunately they did not.

If you are saying that they refuse to follow the process, then why should the citizenry of the USA give them much sympathy? It really does suck that they are in the position that they are, but again that is not the fault of the United States.

Just because they are here does not mean we should just provide them with a special way to become a citizen. If unemployment was closer to 4 percent (full employment) and the economy was stable, then they might have a better chance of passing a Dream Act (if they coupled it with a provision to deport everyone else who is not Dream Act eligible as quickly as they were found), and that is a big maybe.

Just so you don't get the wrong opinion, I don't care where anyone came from. People come to the US from nearly every country on this planet. I would like for them to follow the rules to get here. I don't care if they are white, black, brown, red, yellow or pink with green polka dots. If you don't follow the process it makes it infinitely harder to get through.

Also, Josh, if we passed the Dream Act, what would stop future Congress' from passing another Dream Act or some other stop gap immigration measure? The 1986 Amnesty (which the Dream Act is not) was supposed to be it. I have very little confidence that this will curb illegal immigration one iota and we will re-visit this issue again within 10 years. If you don't think so, I'd encourage you to read more history. It has a tendency to repeat itself.

you know wat...this is sad ... they need to pass the dream act... why? bc they are many children out there who wants to study nursing, policeman, doctor and etc.... why those ppl waste their time in school knowing that they can't be nothing in their life without papers....it is not fair for kids who enter here since they were a baby and knowing that they get deported to an unknown country that they have never been before... and not all the hispanics does crime most of them can help us. .... obama needs to put dream act on every state so those students can live up their dream come true... and it is not fair for children and parents to be seperated.. like come on how would u feel if you were in their position.... we could add another race into this world. so please support the dream act.

I completely agree with josh. And for the ignorant people put yourself in this position for a second.If you were in the position of a immigrant mother or father and you lived in poverty because there were no jobs in your country because of a civil war with no chance of success in life for you or your kids and you came to the U.S. to give your family a better chance of life or at least survival (because millions or innocent people die in civil wars I know from personal experience.) and to be deported back after you've built a life here along with their children now grown up and university students. I wish you ignorant people could see what these parents went through to have a better life for their children and to have their kids be deported back to a country they don't know and for those kids to have all their dreams crushed by people like you. I s that what you want to do?

First of all, Jeff and Shawn, it is easy for you to say "go back to your country, and take it up with your parents not the government" well you said it correctly. A minor coming to the US with their parents has absolutely no say in a legal matter. That is what the US says. If you're a minor you are under your parents rule. So if the parents are at fault, why should the child be punished. Like CyndyLorena23 said,if you were in the their place, you would be thinking differently. For a country that promotes equality and freedom, I believe we should treat those who came to America as minors with equality. Ofcourse there should be regulations, such as college education like the Dream Act proposes. If you dont understand the dream act, it states that you need to enlist in the army or attend college. Do you think all illegal immigrants are going to do that? It will be a deciding factor on who wants to be in America and who doesn't care. Our government needs to give this a shot. We need change and thats exactly what the Dream Act will do.

If you think anyone would/could be completely honest in a hypothetical, you are more than likely wrong. Until you are actually in that situation you aren't dealing with reality.

There is a process and as Josh has explained, the Dreamers do not want to go through the process (based on an assumption) because of the possibility of a 10 year ban.

I have read the 2010 Dream Act as well as the current Dream Act proposed by Senator Durbin.

1. So what if you have to take two years of College. There is no requirement to actually graduate and there are no requirements for GPA or what type of degree you have to get (like a Math/Science/Tech degree).

2. Enlistment in the military. In my opinion (and mine alone) 2 years in the military is a pretty low standard and with the reductions that are being proposed, getting into the military will be more difficult.

3. There are still provisions that you don't have to have a squeaky clean record to be eligible. You can have three misdemeanors and one state felony and qualify.

4. As asked before, what are we going to do with the other 10-25,000,000 people that are in the country illegally or don't qualify for the Dream Act? Will we finally become stringent in interior enforcement and deportation? Really? (if you believe that I have some ocean front property in southern Arizona).

5. If you think that this is a one-time deal, I have some prime real estate in the bayous of Louisana for sale as well.

Equality is relative. There is equal opportunity (the path to citizenship) but not equal outcome. You don't always get what you want. @ Cindy: Sometimes you do get your dreams crushed... Life is tough, get a helmet.

It is so sad that we have come to this. Denying people of their hopes and dreams. People that have come from poor ravished countries. Also, Shawn the US could have done something for a LONG TIME. Why have we not? Maybe you should run for Congress lets see how you do.

Can they not fulfill their dreams in the country from which they originated? Are you saying they are incapable of effecting change there? We did the Amnesty in '86. Unfortunately the Democrats did not fulfill their part of the bargain on border security and interior enforcement.

I really wanted to get a degree in Computer Science. Unfortunately I stumbled in Calculus so I had to give that dream up. I still do well for myself but it took a lot of hard work and sacrifice to get where I am at.

I don't have any aspirations to seek office at a federal level. I prefer to work locally/state level.

What hypocrisy. For anyone to tell Americans, they have no right to call this their country, is an hateful Anti-American bigot. Most Americans are descendants of Americans who fought, bled and died in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, WW1, WW2, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and are still fighting, bleeding and dying if Afghanistan. Americans have made this country great, not Illegal Immigrants. While our brave American soldiers have been fighting and dying on foreign soil, these arrogant undeserving so called Dreamers, have been sitting in our American schools, at the cost of American tax payers. The Dream Act was passed in 2000 and has not passed, because the Citizens (not immigrants) of this country, have demanded No More Amnesties, ever. Most of these Illegal Immigrant, so called Dreamers, have reached the age of Adulthood and make the choice to remain here, Illegally. They have had the choice for years, to return to their country or origin and return Legally.

As for all you, Anti-American bigots falsely assuming, if Americans couldn't find jobs in their country, would do what the Illegals do, are wrong. We have had over 20,000,000 desperately unemployed U.S. citizens, who have not broken the law to make their lives, easier or better. So therefore, Americans are nothing like these lawless immoral Illegals. Americans do not have the option to run away and escaped to another country, like cowardly Illegals. We have no choice, but to do the right thing. Obey the Law and stay here, and make our country better. We start, by Deporting and forcing out, every Illegal.

@Fercho99 and those who bashing Jeff, Stop with the native American b/s, if you learn your history correctly you would know what the trail of tears and the wars on Indians resulted in. The pilgrims or illegals in your eyes beat the native inhibitors(MEANING THEY BEAT THOSE INDIANS FOR THE LAND). Every country had to fight off intruders and if the intruder wins then they are the new citizens.If you're not wise enough to see the lesson learned by those generations you failed history in school. Americans know that the illegals will take over if we open our hands and give them what they want. First they should be grateful we don't put them in jail or execute them for breaking our laws (parents or kids) get over it. Kids of bank robbers and murders etc don't get anything other than being branded by association. Illegals need to be deported with their kids(regardless if they are citizens, those kids will have that opportunity to pledge to America when they are of legal age to reapply for citizenship. Get over the so called hardships they go through, look at the homeless Americans in your neighborhood that could use a degree, job, or dorm housing. Americans are starving just like Africa, you just see the 1percent who abuse their privileged lives. Be grateful, because you will see why many of these illegals came here when WW3 comes.

I am one of "them". I know two Shawns. One is my boss, one is my coworker. The boss Shawn gives me 20 per hour, the most at the company and he is happy I work for him. The coworker Shawn gets 12 and - even if he knows my situation - he is not envious of me or my wage. He knows I deserv it. That 8 percent who have no job arent standing in long line to fulfill my position because they cant compeet with me. People who could are working with well estableshed companies and dont want to take the risk to try an other company. Finaly, if you need my 20 dolllars and feel I took your job, come and take it. If you can compeet, you would rather s... p. Thank you.

Dont think I dont pay taxes, because I do. But I cant withdraw benefits. I cant, not even a cent after the years I payed, even if somebody would give me a greencard tomorrow.

I pay taxes but I cant drive. I cant but I do. Do you know what? Last summer I worked for a company and I drove the companyvan, because my boss consedered me a safe driver, meanwhile evrybody of the "legal workforce" had some points on their licence. Speeding and so on. Speeding is not a coincidence, it is a willful violence.

Really? "get a helmet" Very gentlemanlike of you shawn. Selfish unopen-minded people like you give the United States a bad rap internationally. I'm 14 years old and I probably know more on the topic than you. So shawn let me ask you a question you think its fair for people to die in wars and violence becuase people like you think it's ok to banish these people from a country they've been living in for 20 years and have done absolutly nothing against the law or anyone. Do you know how ignorant you sound when you say "sometimes dreams get crushed get a helmet". And another question what if all you've ever worked for your career all the years of college or university you've done and your house everything was token out from under you and your family had to go live to this unknown violence and poverty stricken country wuld you still be saying dreams get crushed get a helmet? I dont think so.

This country my country is amazing anyone has just about every possibility out there open to them. However, reading these posts and seeing other people’s perspective. I am truly disgusted, the people that say things like blame your illegal status on your parents?! How dare you, say that? That is an awful thing to say. Such sickening places such as Soviet Union fell apart and people scrammed as soon as they could because their own home country offered nothing, because there was nothing left. Can you blame anyone trying to strive for survival for a better life? Everyone has the right to pursuit happiness; I believe that nobody should be denied their pursuit of happiness (except hardcore criminals and such). So how can a little two year old three old whatever the age blame their own parents for trying to give them a better life?! Are you people mad?! Are you that cruel, insensitive and/or heartless that much?! I cannot even describe what I feel when I read people’s thought on this site. PLEASE PUT YOURSELF IN OTHER PEOPLE’S SHOES BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY WHATSOEVER ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ANYONE”. People’s rude and extremely cruel ideas words have started wars and have ended countless lives, destroyed families and tore down countries. I just cannot figure out what triggers some people to verbalize out loud such things, such ignorance. Why are so many people in this wonderful country act so evil (excuse me but I cannot put together a different word to describe these people’s thoughts/ideas)? Why would anyone even say such things as not my problem the illegal kids problem? People on these posts WOULD RATHER HAVE A LITTLE CHILD BE FORCED BACK INTO THEIR POOR HOPELESS COUNTRY ALONG WITH THEIR PARENTS AND HAVE THEM STARVE AND DIE BACK THERE BECAUSE CHANCES ARE PEOPLE THAT CAME INTO THIS COUNTRY ILLIGALLY HAVE GIVEN UP EVERYTHING TO COME HERE. BUT SOME PEOPLE FIND IT BETTER TO HAVE A LITTLE CHILD STARVE AND DIE ELSEWHERE INSTEAD OF BEING GIVEN A CHANCE TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE HERE BECAUSE GOD FORBIDDEN(EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE) YOU LOOSE MONEY. SHAME ON ALL YOU CARELESS AND HEARTLESS “SO-CALLED” AMERICANS.(IF YOU DARE SAY SUCH CRUELTY AND CALL YOURSELF THE AMERICAN DREAM

Please proof-read your comments. They will make a lot more sense but I will try.

1. People shouldn't have to compete with you if you are in the country illegally.

2. I've been at my company for 16 years. I've worked very hard and made many sacrifices (over 170 nights in a hotel one year, 6 years of 4 day a week travel away from home, 70-90hr weeks) to get where I am at. Before this job, I have done several other jobs. Worked at a junk yard, served 8 years in the military, worked laying asphalt for a city, worked in retail, worked in a grocery store and a few others.

3. How are you working and paying taxes? SS fraud? If you have an ITIN number you are supposed to be able to file and receive a refund (if you earn one). I don't think you're telling the whole story.

4. You don't have points on your license because you don't have a license. It's good that your boss trusts you but if you had been caught, both of you could have been in hot water.

@ Cindy

I guess you don't read much. I am very open to people immigrating to the United States (I have a relative that immigrated here last year). I would just ask that the outlined process. There aren't any short cuts.

Your attempt to equate deporting people to banishing people is extremely weak and not structured very well. So there is no articulate way to reply. No, I don't like our soldiers/sailors/airmen(women) to die in war (paraphrasing from Patton: Servicemen don't go to war to die for his/her country, they go to make the other guy die for his). Yes I expect the laws of the United States to be obeyed and enforced. Just because you have been evading successfully for 20 years or so does not give you a free pass.

If all of what you theorize were to happen (a silly theory), I will have options. It would take an inordinate amount of sacrifice but I can re-start. However after crying and praying a lot, I would have my family, friends and even my Church to help me. I have many skills that I can leverage in many business sectors and many countries.

Dreams do not always come true, nor do they always go the way you want them. My comment about life being tough, get a helmet is very applicable. You have to be prepared.

Be cool, stay in school and focus on English composition. Proof-read your comments in Word. F7 will do a spell check and a grammar check. If you quote someone, make sure it's accurate.

Let's face it. Our Federal Government has failed all of us in not enforcing our immigration laws. Look at how many anchor babies, (illegal alien children), the American taxpayers have paid for. Was it about 4.2 million over the last 16-18 years? Maybe this is something that should be written about. Then we have to school these illegal alien children, the parents (parent) go on welfare, get food stamps, public housing and everything else. What does this cost the American taxpayer? How about the stolen identities, forged documents and fake green cards. Well, you can't blame the illegal aliens completely. We do have these UNAMERICAN people who hire these illegal aliens. Of course we have these illegal alien students who are DEMANDING we pass the DREAM Act so we can pay for their college tuition. How about the demonstrations of these illegal aliens DEMANDING we give them amnesty. Who do these people think they are? They have no right to be in this country, yet they are DEMANDING, yes, DEMANDING we give them amnesty. Well, I am DEMANDING we get our immigration laws ENFORCED! Look at the costs of deporting these illegal aliens. Look at the costs of the trials and jailing of these illegal aliens. Look at the costs of the law suits by la raza, the aclu and now the DOJ. Oh, don't forget the Catholic Church. Look at the BILLIONS sent out of this country by the illegal aliens. How does that help America? When is this all going to end? I will tell you. It will end when we get rid of all the illegal aliens. That's when.

As a life-long Democrat, I agree with Romney. And, let me assure you, the Democrats have grossly miscalculated on this one--- with African American unemployment over 16% and African American teen unemployment approaching 40%.

America does not owe immigration lawbreakers or their offspring rewards for their lawbreaking--- and in particular it does not owe them taxpayer-subsized financial rewards for subverting U.S. law. To grant such rewards would simply be incredibly insulting both to American citizens and to LEGAL immigrants who paid a high price, went through a rigorous background check, and waited their turns to reap the rewards of the United States.

While I do have some sympathy for the children who had no choice and were brought here at a young age, the problem with granting financial and other rewards for lawbreaking is that it WILL ONLY SERVE TO INCENTIVIZE EXPONENTIALLY MORE LAWBREAKING-- as demonstrated by Reagan's flawed 1986 Amnesty. Also, the 1986 Amnesty invited fraud on a large scale. Also, as soon as you grant rewards for immigration lawbreaking to the children, you will hear louder and louder cries --- "Don't deport our parents". The reality is that the advocates for immigration lawbreakers do not want the law enforced against any such lawbreaker--- not only the children. If they would otherwise agree that the law should be enforced as against the lawbreaking decision-making parents (and if fraud could truly be prevented), I am certain some accommodation could be made for the children who had no choice.

This issue will factor HUGE in 2012, as the media and left-wing Democratic leadership are the ones promoting the false notion that only the right-wing fringe seeks enforcement of our-most-generous-in-the-world-immigration-laws. Most Democrats and LEGAL immigrants DEMAND THAT OUR LAWS BE ENFORCED AS WELL, AND WE ARE AGAINST REWARDS FOR IMMIGRATION LAWBREAKING.

The Dream Act will never pass.If you thought 2010-2011 was bad for illegals,just wait untill you see what 2012 has to offer.The Supreme Court will rule in July or so,in favor of States rights to secure their borders against the illegal invasion.Then the other states,besides Az,Ga,Sc will follow suit.The change will happen so fast it will make your head spin.This,right now,is as good as it gets for illegals.I see self-deportation in the future for a whole bunch of people who won't be able to find jobs,housing or a way to stay here illegally.Take away the feeder & they WILL leave the way they came.Like I asked before,why do they feel so entitled to be here,they're NOT !

"The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that they are "endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.""

Is this all a lie? We are illegal because of our parents, but having grown up in this country makes us Americans at heart. We are American in everything but birth. Us illegals came here in the pursuit of happiness. Dreamers have no home to go back to because we don't know anything of it. We don't belong there and because of a number, we dont belong here. We meet your requirements in the Declaration of Independence and OUR lady liberty's. We are the poor, the homeless, huddled masses looking for liberty, peace and a simple, better life.. So why are we not accepted?

Life isn't a English class shawn. Just so you know I'm in English IB (International Baccalaureate)I'm in grade ten and I'm doing grade 12 level stuff, and I do know how to properly qoute someone but I'm not going to do MLA citation on your quote. And I don't know what your skills are but I don't think they'd be very useful in a completly proverty stricken country like El Salvador think of it as starting a bisuness in the poorest town of africa it's not going to work.

I just want to ask those oppose the dream act to give me a solution to the following questions:

How are you going to deport 11 ~ 13 millions of illegal immigrants? Do you expect them to pay fine? You cannot take away their property because it is against the law, and current fine is like nothing.

Give me a proposal that will work. An efficient solution.

These people have been in this country for many years and they are already part of the society. They are consumers and many of them are also suppliers (labors, goods and services). You can't remove them even with the hands of Gods because they are already integrated into this economy.

Before you even think about removing them, find little common sense.

We are talking about solutions. We have to solve this once and for all. No. We cannot stop illegal immigration at any point. Any attempt to do that is simply an attempt to stop people stealing.

Just use your common senses. As a professional civil engineer, I've met several of these kids and they are extremely bright. Our own American kids are bright too. But we can't afford removing them. Keeping them undocumented is a bad idea. How are we going to track them down if they are misusing our government services (owing debts, for example)?

Use your little common sense before you even dare to call yourself "American".

Thank you for your time.

Accept the truth and talk about "the interest of American", not the interest of "my local fellow voters".

Cindy, I can swing a hammer, run a saw (electric or hand powered), turn a wrench, run wire, dig a hole, and operate a great deal of equipment. I can fish, hunt, cook, sew and grow crops along with other skills. I could even teach, if I had to. Of course, your scenario would likely never happen (although once I thought I was going to be stuck in Costa Rica once).

If you want to really make an impact you need to use your skills. If you don't then people other than your peers will probably dismiss you. Stay in school and once you get in the real world, you'll see it's quite different than in High School.

So, Ken. If 11-13 (your number is quite low) million tax payers decided to not pay their taxes, do you think the IRS would throw up their hands and say, "We can't catch them all, it's just not feasible."? President Eisenhower did it back in the 50s.

While the cost of deporting them would be expensive, I would propose trains and boats to get them where they need to go. Trains to get them from the interior to the ports and boats to take them to their country of origin. For those that can't be taken back by boat or train, then we can fly them. The cost of deporting them would be dwarfed by the savings on social services, local taxes (for those districts that have a great many students that are here illegally). The federal government can seize property of those breaking the law and use the sale of said property to pay what ever fine has been assessed.

We have had a solution, it is found in our immigration laws. The process works. Is it flawless, no. Is it impossible to complete, not at all. Our federal government has chosen not to enforce those laws.

While we may not be able to stop illegal immigration completely we should do what is possible to make it as uncomfortable for anyone to be in this country illegally, as well as severely punish those who hire illegals (I'm pretty sure I've said that before on this page). With unemployment as high as it is and our economy in the tank it doesn't make sense to add another million or two (according to the article) laborers in an already glut of labor.

I have one thing to say good luck running this economy without immigrants and illegals. If Americans will go and work for $4.50 as some illegals or clean some people's toilets for $8 than maybe some day I will become a King.

Americans rather say that illegals took their jobs instead of starting looking for them. I bet I can find 300 jobs by just working my phone tomorrow for 8 hrs.

Michal--- We are not interested in "running this economy without immigrants"--- but rather--- without ILLEGAL FOREIGN NATIONALS!

What you describe is a blackmarket labor force that results in wage depression and diminished job opportunities for American citizens and LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. When the lawbreaking profiteering employers pay ILLEGALS poverty level wages and no benefits--- they pass the true cost of doing business onto the backs of American taxpayers who then are forced to subsidize their lawbreaking business enterprises with taxpayer funded benefits for their ILLEGAL employees including healtcare, infrastructure costs, schools for their kids, etc. While some ILLEGALS do pay some taxes, they pay FAR LESS in taxes than the taxpayer-funded services they consume. When you factor in the true costs of doing business (for which Americans are paying) you will realize that ILLEGAL LABOR is NOT CHEAP--- it's just that the true expense is shifted onto the backs of the unwilling American taxpayers rather than the ILLEGAL BUSINESS PROFITEERS. This is an unacceptable form of corporate welfare. The goods sold should reflect their true costs. This is wrong and immoral. We must insist on an honest LIVING WAGE PAID TO AMERICAN CITIZENS AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. The only way to ensure this is to eliminate the lawbreaking by enforcing our very generous laws inviolate--- certainly not by encouraging more lawbreaking by rewarding it!

@ AngelicaS
you are an endless battle type of person and I do NOT believe in war I do not believe in kicking out people that are basically asking for help, that is what is wrong with society it is people like you who are so close minded and refuse to understand, I will never read any of these endless pointless blogs again because there is no point trying to prove something or make someone understand since they are only in their own world and nobody else matters. people are to selfish and it is extremely sad but there is only so much one side can do. however I believe that you should not to anything to anyone that you would not want done yourself.
America was founded on immigrants illigal or legal. I find it amazing that so many people want to come and live in my country US. What I do not understand is why people don't want them here? It is a compliment really in a way. Also I agree With MICHAEL comment America will defiantly drop down in number extremely in really poor jobs I do not personally look for a job to clean toilets and many people that do are immigrants and my guess not legal work those very low paying jobs that I have never met any America that wants to do work them.
well lets see make all illagls go back
then what
hahaha then 8% unemployment should have more "awesome toilet jobs" to choose from.

@ Ken R. Doobs
WOW spectacular argument, very well focused and to the point, more people like you would change the world.
P>S>ONE suggestion DON'T EVER CHANGE>(you are one of the few who chose to understand others)

If workers that work on farms would pay more I hope you understand that the food that a regular american can afford now would not be so affordable anymore. Without illegals working in the fields there is no grocery foods are reasonable prices. American's won't clean toilets even if you will pay them $20 an hour. Your statement is pointless and doesn't make any sense.

Another question would you rather see a person that gets an education in the USA work for the US economy or leave the country and work somewhere else using the degree that he got here?

Michal--- You don't understand. The cost of doing business exists--- it's just that the American taxpayer is subsidizing the lawbreaking business profiteers' businesses rather than the businesses themselves. So, whether the true costs are paid directly through your grocery bill or through the taxes paid to subsize the costs of lawbreaking, make no mistake--- WE ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT--- BUT CURRENTLY, THE COSTS IS HIDDEN. Most people would rather see the TRUE costs of the goods they purchase. Personally, when I shop, I prefer to purchase fair trade foods which are more expensive but pay the farmer a fair, living wage. I understand that you would prefer to pay crap wages and then have the American taxpayers subsidize the LAWBREAKING BUSINESSES. Most Americans do not agree with you.

Further, I think it's insulting to say that work is beneath anyone and that only foreigners will clean toilets. Your perspective is warped and condescending. I am a professional, and clean my own toilets. Sure, I think Americans would clean toilets for $20 per hour. My friend's housekeeper is an American citizen, and she does all housework including toilet-cleaning for far less than $20 per hour.

What I would rather see is that we enforce our laws and that we reward people who play by the rules rather than the lawbreakers. It is wrong to impose the costs/financial rewards for lawbreaking upon the backs of the American taxpayers and LEGAL immigrants. That is UNACCEPTABLE!

Natalie--- I understand that you don't believe the United States is entitled to have immigration laws (the most generous in the world). Every country has them, you just believe we aren't entitled to enforce ours. That is your misapprehension. There is a LEGAL way to immigrate to the U.S. (over 700,0000 do it LEGALLY EVERY YEAR-- more than all other countries combined). For you to insist that the U.S. must eliminate its immigration laws and/or grant equivalent treatment to the lawbreakers as we give LEGAL immigrants, is an absurd and asinine notion.

So, rather than requiring people to play by the rules (the most generous in the world), you would prefer to impose the catastrophic burdens upon American citizens and LEGAL immigrants, who are paying a high costs and seeing services diminished to accommodate and pay for the immigration lawbreakers. Why do you seek to harm American citizens and LEGAL immigrants through your your endorsement of immigration lawbreaking?

Why should Mexico even exist as a country
if its people are incapable of creating
an economy and providing opportunities
for its citizens.
It should be declared a failure, its
govt should be replaced, and reforms
should be imposed by the U.S.

Of the top 25 economies ranked by per capita GDP
about two thirds are european countries, canada
and the U.S. A few are oil rich countries
and the others are asian countries. Europe,
Canada, and the U.S. represent about one
seventh of the world population but produce
about 55% of the GDP of the world.
60% of the worlds largest companies are
located in Europe, Canada, or the U.S.
About 30% are in Asian countries.
Of the 50 largest pharmaceutical companies
in the world about 80% are located in Europe
or the U.S. About 20% are in Japan. Every form of transportation
in the world from a bicycle to a Jet Airliner
was invented in Europe, Canada or the U.S.
Nuclear physics and Rocket technology
was developed in Europe and the U.S.
Europeans launched the first rocket into
space a flew the first jet airplane.
Electricity was developed in Europe
and the U.S. Wireless communications was
invented in europe. Europeans invented telephones. I could go on and on
but the point is that the U.S. is not
great because of third world immigration.
It is an advanced industrialized country
due to european immigration.
The country is just addicted to cheap labor.

Its sad to see people supporting this. I would venture to say most of you dont know the truth about the millions of dollars in damage these illegals do every year. Wake up all you self-entitled cry-babies.

And what about us? Sons of Citizens that have to wait more than 20yrs to get our green cards and a path to citizenship! In our case we had to run from all the violence and non-sense that is happening in Mexico. Part of our family died because of all the violence that is happening there and we didn't want to wait and see if we will die or not the next day.
So even when we tried to go thru the right pathway and wait in line for our chance to be part of this great country; we just couldn't keep living in fear for our lives and we had to come here breaking (overstaying) our visas but you know what at least in here we are not afraid for our lives any more.
We are hard working people and we are prepared, we speak english, spanish and even french. And like us there are millions of people waiting in line but since the immigrations system here is so outdated then we are called illegals! when we are not we are just the product of the broken immigration system.

I do not think that everything in the dream act is a great idea. I do however support the idea and find that it is a far better solution than just deporting people that grew up here not knowing their own country or what to expect or what to do. Our society is not one that forces you to learn how to do manual labor jobs nor does it particularly encourage people to learn. We push our kids to be better than we were, and strive for high apple pie in the sky dreams and yet when we find out that they are illegal aliens we decide they need to go back to where they came. Im not saying that they do not take up taxpayer money to go to school or to get subsidized health care but many of the illegal immigrants i have dealt with worked hard, for low income jobs and usually double shifts averaging 80hr's a week so they could support themselves and their family because lets face it, in our economy you can not live on minimum wage.

That said, I do agree that there are illegal immigrants here that do not work hard, and they do drain our society of everything that we put in. As much as I dislike the idea of sending someone back to poverty, I believe these are the people we should be deporting. Not their kids, not the women and children and men that work hard and strive to be just like everyone else around them.

I myself am in a very tough predicament. I was born and raised in the US, and as far as I can tell my family line has been here for generations. Yet I am engaged to an illegal immigrant, she was brought here when she was younger, finished school here and is now 24 with a son and she works more hours than I do. She wants to be a doctor but cant go to school without proof of citizenship. What would you have her do? She is faced with a ten year ban if she applies for citizenship. So now if she gets a 10 year ban I have to leave the country too, because her parents brought her here illegaly. Getting married doesn't solve the problem either because other shady americans abused the marriage system in the past.

I dont have a solution that works 100% but I think the Dream act is a step in the right direction, its not a one time thing like the amnesty's of the past, its a functional system to be put in place, maybe its in need of some ironed edges, but I think it could work. In the meantime lets figure out something else that works to document our illegals, maybe deport them if they dont contribute to society for 'X' amount of time, I have no idea honestly.

My ex has a brain tumor and has been unemployed for 6 years, shes an american, should we deport her for being a drain on society?

I live a complicated life and I see no perfect answers, just opinions.

I wasnt going to comment on this article but after reading all the comments I just couldnt help myself. I'm a legal US Resident but I have been there. I know what is like to not have "papers". I went through college paying a higher tuition (about three times higher than legal residents were paying)it was unfair but it was the only option I had. I have always been a straight-A student (and an Honor Student as well). Next year I will be attending to Medical School because all I want to do is to help all those who need it. Yes, I will be helping Americans and hopefully I will get to assist all of you who are against illegal immigrants so I can prove you that just because my parents decided to move to United States when I was a little girl it doesn't make me a bad person or a person who likes and/or enjoys breaking the law. I have always paid my taxes, my police record is as clean as a police record can be and I have been involved with volunteer activities for years. We are the future, use your common sense, we are not going anywhere because your beautiful country is our home as well. You decide, do you want the future leaders to attend to school and succeed? or you want to cut their wings and deny them education?
Also, I'm still trying to understand some of the comments that were posted... If I follow your reasoning, according to some of you, the day that I became a legal resident I stopped being a "bad" person and became a "good" one? ..Sorry, but that's just ridiculous.